Cannon Street is a road in the City of London, the historic nucleus of London and its modern financial centre. It runs roughly parallel with the River Thames, about north of it, in the north of the City.

It is the site of the ancient London Stone and gave its name to Cannon Street station, a mainline railway terminus and connected London Underground station.

Etymology

The area around Cannon Street was initially the place of residence of the candle-makers. The name first appears as Candelwrichstrete (i.e. "Candlewright Street") in 1190. The name was shortened over 60 times and is therefore not related to the firearms. The ward of Candlewick is named after the street.

A Cannon Street in Birmingham, according to the archives of Birmingham Central Library, is named after the London street.

Candleriggs, a street in Glasgow, has a name of the same origin and meaning.

Overview

In the west, Cannon Street starts at St Paul's Churchyard outside St Paul's Cathedral; running east it meets Queen Victoria Street near Mansion House Underground station, passing Cannon Street station, and finally meets King William Street and Gracechurch Street near Monument tube station.

thumb|250px|Cannon Street pictured in 1987. View westward toward St Paul's.

In the late 19th century Cannon Street was occupied by large wholesale warehouses, especially of cotton goods and other fabrics.

London Stone, a historic landmark of uncertain origin, was originally situated in the middle of Cannon Street, opposite St Swithin's Church. It was later set into the wall of the church,

Cannon Street formed part of the marathon course of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cannon Street has eight pubs (as of 2012) in and around the area which is one of the largest concentrations in the City of London.

Cannon Street also appeared in scene VI of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 2.

Cannon Street station is served by the District and Circle lines on the London Underground and also by Southeastern mainline rail services. The street is also the location of Mansion House tube station, also on the District and Circle lines, and of one of the entrances to Bank station, on the Central, Northern and Waterloo & City lines and the Docklands Light Railway.

London Buses routes 15, 17, 521 and night routes N15 and N199 serve Cannon Street.

See also

  • A. & G. Taylor – photographic business, opened on Cannon Street in 1866

References

Further reading

  • . (bird's eye view)